Seed Fund

Fund

Created by the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers, the Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs is an exclusive opportunity for OCAD U students and recent alumni to receive funding to help launch or grow a creative business.

The fund supports creative businesses in all the possible forms they can take. Read about the past winners:

Recipients will be awarded up to $7,000 to help launch their business.

For 2025, the Seed Fund is taking a mentorship-focused approach. Ten finalists will participate in half-day, in-person roundtable mentorship session where they can ask questions, receive guidance, and refine their business plans. Applications will be reviewed by an expert jury, and winners will be selected from the revised and resubmitted business plans. The timeline for each stage of this opportunity:

  • Virtual application info session – Thurs. Nov. 14, 12 PM EST
  • Applications close – Mon. Jan 13, 2025, 9 AM EST
  • Up to 10 Finalists will be selected by an external jury to attend a half-day in person roundtable mentorship at the CEAD (115 McCaul, 3rd Floor) to refine their business ideas during Winter Break on – Thurs. Feb. 20, 2025, from 1-5 PM
  • Finalists submit their revised business plans to the jury – Mon. Mar. 10, 2025 
  • Winners notified – end of Mar. or early Apr. 2025

Prizes

Over $25,000 will be distributed to support OCAD U businesses.

  • First place will receive $7,000
  • Second place will receive $6,000
  • Third place will receive $5,000
  • An honourable mention will receive $3,000
  • A business with a connection to Brampton will be eligible for the Brampton Arts Organization Prize and receive $2,000
  • A social enterprise will be awarded the Ample Labs Prize and receive $1,000 CAD
  • All other finalists will receive $400 

Submission

Applications are accepted via Typeform. A complete application consists of:

  • Applicant Details
  • (1500 characters max) Describe your business idea
  • (1000 characters max) Describe successes or milestones you have achieved to date. Outline some challenges you face in realizing your business ideas.
  • (1000 characters max) Describe at least one customer segment
  • (1000 characters max) Describe the channels - the ways you will engage, attract, and secure your customers
  • (1000 characters max) Describe how you plan to balance costs needed to run the business versus the revenue
  • (1000 characters max) Describe 3 milestones you need to achieve
  • (Optional, 1000 characters max) If you or your co-founders have a connection to Brampton, you are eligible for the Brampton Arts Organization Prize.
  • (Optional, 1000 characters max) If your business tackles a social problem, describe the social problem your business addresses and how your idea tackles or solves this problem

Download Application Instructions (pdf)

Deadline to submit: Mon. Jan. 13, 2025 9 AM EST

 

Apply now

Eligibility

To be eligible for this opportunity, you must be:

  • Current OCAD U students, or recent alumni from any program of study who have graduated in 2022 or later
  • If your business idea involves personnel from outside OCAD U, then one co-founder must meet the above qualification
  • Your business has not yet received more than $10,000 in funding or revenue at the time of application
  • To the best of your ability, be available for the ½ day in person mentorship taking place Thurs. Feb. 20, 2025 from 1-5 PM EST. Alternative accommodations can be made with advanced notice.
  • We will be prioritizing applicants who have not yet received funding from the Seed Fund.

* Not sure if your idea qualifies for this opportunity? Email Alexandra Hong at ahong@ocadu.ca with the subject “The Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs”.

Info Session and Advising

Watch the recorded info session that took place on Nov. 14, 2024: 2025 Seed Fund Info Session Meeting
 
 

If you'd like 1-1 support, book an advising appointment with Alexandra Hong through the Talent Network, or by emailing ahong@ocadu.ca. 

Note that advising will not be available Dec. 16, 2024 – Jan. 3, 2025.

Jury

 

Our jury will assess and provide feedback on applications and will select the finalists and the winners of the 2025 Seed Fund.

Headshot of Jury member Ahmad El Sarraff

 

Ahmad El Sarraff (he/him)

 

Ahmad is a creative Multidisciplinary Designer and Consultant, specializing in redefining and innovating the standard of industries and bringing a new lens that can enhance, and improve how we live, work, and play, and improving quality of life. As the Founder & CEO of A77, a GenZ and Youth led research and innovation startup, consultancy, and think tank, Ahmad thrives in seeing the connections between areas typically overlooked. Connecting his diverse backgrounds, he finds untapped connections and opportunities for both clients and for A77's innovative projects that aim to reshape and disrupt sectors.

Over the last 4 years Ahmad has embodied a cross-sector approach through his design and consulting work in the private sector and non-profit organizations in North America and abroad. Providing services and creating projects that enhance organizations and industries that are both profitable and create positive impact. Ahmad sees that connecting industries and creating holistic approaches and solutions is not just innovative, but essential as challenges are often part of an eco-system tying several sectors together, and only a holistic approach will address challenges and create a thriving sustainably profitable environment.

Headshot of jury member stephanie

 

Stéphanie Guico (she/her) 

 

After 10 years of consulting with various levels of government and start-ups, Stéphanie joined the Cap Finance Social Finance Fund team in February 2024, where she is Lead of Operations. Previously, she was part of the development team for numerous cooperative platforms, including Up & Go in New York and OCAD's Fineline, and worked with Smart Belgium to replicate the model in Quebec.

She has worked with partners in Quebec to revise legislation, securities law and strengthen municipal and provincial ecosystems to accommodate the next generation of cooperatives. A Bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Development from McGill University (Montreal) and a Master's degree in Cooperative Management from St Mary's University (Halifax) were recently complemented with coursework at University of Alberta's Indigenous Studies program, as well as the Canadian Securities Course.

Headshot of jury member tammy

 

Tammy Yiu Coyne (she/her)

 

Tammy Yiu Coyne is the co-founder of Partial, Canada’s online art platform spotlighting art by emerging, diverse artists with innovative acquisition models. Established in 2016, Partial has been featured in publications such as The Globe and Mail and Toronto Life, and now showcases hundreds of artists from across Canada. In 2024, she also opened independent wine shop Chin Chin with her sommelier partner in Creemore.

Tammy began her career in the ad world before establishing her own design studio, Squab Creative. For 13+ years, Squab specialized in design for businesses and nonprofits such as Fresh City Farms, Warner Brothers Music, and Right To Play (for which she won a So(cial) Good Design Award). Tammy also launched a Canadian-made outerwear brand in 2012 serving as Creative Director. During her tenure, she launched OSC Cross across Canada and grew distribution across Japan in partnership with retail leader, Seilin & Co. She later continued her agile, hands-on approach as Communications Manager for Canada’s leading contemporary outdoor art fair, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, spanning projects across marketing, inclusive programming, logistics, and strategic partnerships.

In life, she advocates for social justice, thinks about growing vegetables one day, and hangs out with her rescue dog.

Mentors

 

Our mentors will work with finalists at a half-day mentorship to help them refine their applications and business plans.

Headshot Andrea

 

Andrea Rodriguez (she/her) 

 

Andrea Rodriguez is a creative designer and mural artist based in Toronto. Her work is known for its vibrant murals and intricate lettering that transforms surfaces into beautiful storytelling canvases. She draws inspiration from her Colombian-Canadian heritage and the rich biodiversity around her, which allows her to bridge cultures and offer viewers a blend of joy, inspiration, and connection.

With over 12 years of experience and a solid educational background in Graphic Design and Art Direction, she has collaborated with leading organizations to enhance public spaces in Toronto. She is committed to creating art that resonates with people, invites engagement, and celebrates the diverse fabric of our community.

Headshot of Daniel

 

Daniel Francavilla (he/him)

 

Daniel is a marketing advisor, strategist, founder and mentor making a positive impact. He is a Certified Brand Strategist, college educator, member of the Canadian Marketing Association and a recipient of a 40 Under 40 Award. After graduating from OCAD University, Daniel founded Now Creative Group in 2013, later acquired by creative performance agency King Street Media in 2021, also launching content platform and studio CreatorClub.

As an advocate for social good Daniel continues to run ACCESS, a nonprofit he founded as a student in 2006, which provides funding and mentorship for youth-led initiatives. His latest venture, The Good Growth Company, provides training for social good organizations to upskill their teams and scale their mission. Daniel also teaches at Seneca, George Brown, and Humber.

Headshot of Jaymin

 

Jaymin Luces-Mendes (they/them)

 

Jaymin Luces-Mendes is the founder of Toni Marlow Clothing and Noire Now. They have a wealth of experience in business strategy, product management, and public speaking.

Passionate about people and strategy, Jaymin is focused on positively impacting people and the planet through entrepreneurship.

Headshot of Serena

 

Serena Peruzzo (she/her)

 

Serena is a technologist and entrepreneur based in Toronto, where she co-founded 1RG.

With a consultancy focused on providing software and data science solutions for civic and social impact organizations, and a community hub for curious and creative technologist and changemakers, 1RG bridges technology and community impact.

Having worked in small startups and big tech for over a decade, Serena is driven by a profound belief that technology can and should empower people. She is dedicated to creating spaces and solutions that support human agency, nurture curiosity, and foster innovative approaches to social challenges.

Headshot of Shilbee

 

Shilbee Dhalla-Kim (she/her)

 

Shilbee Dhalla-Kim is a passion coach who supports changemakers in clarifying their passions to better align with their current purpose. In addition to her own coaching practice, she is a facilitator with Neolé Inc. and an instructor at McMaster University.

Previously, she served as the Social Enterprise Manager at the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto, Manager at the Centre for Social Innovation in Regent Park, and Workstream Manager of Entrepreneurship Policy at the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship.

 

About the Ample Labs Prize

Ample Labs Logo

 

The Ample Labs Prize is part of an endowed gift provided by OCAD U alumni and Ample Labs co-founders CG Chen and Geordie Graham. The prize supports students and recent alumni who want to launch a company tackling a social problem. Ample Labs is a social start-up using AI & Data to help cities prevent homelessness.

 

About the Brampton Arts Organization Prize

Brampton Arts Organization logo

 

The Brampton Arts Organization Prize supports a creative business that has a connection to Brampton. The Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) is a non-profit that champions Brampton’s diverse arts, culture and creative industries and advocates for the #BramptonArtist. They work to build a thriving, confident, valued, and empowered creative scene by offering a range of programs, services, and resources.

Inclusivity Statement

OCAD U is committed to promoting access to this opportunity for equity-seeking groups that are under-represented as creative entrepreneurs. We encourage applications from individuals of equity-seeking communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities / expressions. Applicants are invited to voluntarily self-identify with any of these communities in their application.